Yesterday, Foreign Minister Sven Mikser acknowledged the determination of Georgia to carry out reforms as part of the EU integration process at the meetings with the leaders of Georgia in Tbilisi. The Foreign Minister congratulated Georgia on the visa liberalisation with the EU and reaffirmed strong support for the Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia. Foreign Minister Mikser met with the President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili, the PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mikheil Janelidze and the Chairman of the Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze.

According to Mikser, the determined and strong homework to achieve the visa liberalisation has taken Georgia’s EU integration substantially forward. “The entry into force of the visa liberalisation with the EU is a significant step that will improve tourism, contacts between people and will strengthen business ties,” Foreign Minister Mikser said and reaffirmed the on-going Estonian support. “The implementation of the Association Agreement and reforms must continue. Our cooperation with Georgia is aimed at that,” he added.

According to the Estonian Foreign Minister, the success of Georgia is an example for other Eastern Partnership countries. He added that the Eastern Partnership is one of the priorities of the Estonian presidency of the EU Council. The Eastern Partnership Summit will take place in Brussels during the Estonian presidency. “We are working to achieve ambitious outcomes that would motivate all Eastern Partnership members to further develop their countries. The Summit must send a clear message of EU commitment and demonstrate the citizens of eastern partners how cooperation leads to concrete benefits. It is necessary to maintain the governments’ motivation to carry out reforms,” Foreign Minister Mikser said.

Security and Georgia’s strive towards NATO were also subjects discussed at the meetings. “Georgia is already a partner of NATO who significally contributes to the security of the alliance,” Mikser said. “I am glad that the Warsaw Summit sent a clear signal that NATO would like to strengthen cooperation with Georgia. Estonia is ready to support Georgia in this in every way,” he added and encouraged Georgia to use different opportunities for practical cooperation with NATO.

According to Foreign Minister Mikser, Georgia is one of the most important development cooperation partner countries for Estonia. “We will continue to support Georgia’s EU integration, particularly with training and aid to implement reforms. In the last two years, 50 projects have been carried out in Georgia in the framework of development cooperation. We focus mainly on sharing our experience in reforming education, supporting entrepreneurship, strengthening democratic institutions and developing e-governance,” Foreign Minister Mikser said. This year, Estonia will again contribute almost one million euros for different projects.

According to Mikser, the cooperation between Estonia and Georgia, who this year in June will celebrate the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations, is successful and constructive in every field.

Other subjects discussed at the meetings included the relations with neighbouring countries, regional security and the recent developments in Georgia.